The 2019 Novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has already become a major health concern for most countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has now declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global health emergency and pandemic due to its widespread nature, severity, and unavailability of vaccination.
The Orange County Healthcare Agency revealed that 125 COVID-19 cases were reported in Orange County as of March 23, 2020. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also revealed that 33,404 cases were reported in the US as of March 23.
You may be worried about the epidemic situation, as the virus is airborne. However, being informed about the disease and the current situation and preparedness to fight coronavirus are the best ways to stay safe and healthy.
Below are answers to the questions or concerns you may have about the coronavirus.
Now, CDC recommends healthcare and urgent care centers to restrict patient visits to emergency or urgent care and consider postponing non-emergency procedures until a patient is not infected with airborne diseases. If you are healthy and have no symptoms or have chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, you can currently visit your doctor for your scheduled appointment.
Also, you should not ignore your urgent medical conditions just because of the COVID-19 pandemic. If conditions including fractures, scrapes and bruises, cuts, sprains, sore throat, fever, flu, and cough are not treated on time, they become worse and can significantly impact your health. You can visit your family care center if your condition requires immediate healthcare assistance.
We are currently also offering a video appointment facility to our existing patients at our primary care locations and also to the urgent care and new patients. If you’re an existing patient at one of our primary care locations or a new patient looking for online urgent care services, you can call us at your nearest FCCMG primary or urgent care clinic to schedule your video appointment. Learn more about our telehealth services, how it works, and what are the benefits.
The healthcare and family care centers follow CDC guidelines to control infection and prevent the spread of the virus. Without being worried about the situation, you can go to your healthcare center for scheduled or emergency appointments.
People may experience cold or flu-like symptoms 2 to 14 days after being exposed to the COVID-19. However, the symptoms vary from one person to another depending on their severity of infection, and can include:
Older people or people with medical conditions such as heart disease, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), or asthma have an increased risk of infection.
It is also a time for seasonal allergies. As plants, weeds, grasses, and trees release pollen, people with hay fever start experiencing symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, coughing, and watery eyes. These symptoms are consistent with the flu, common cold, seasonal allergies, and the COVID-19, so it can be difficult to determine whether you are infected with COVID-19 or other diseases like flu.
You do not have to panic about your symptoms; instead, you should cross-check your health and travel history. You should contact one of our urgent or primary care centers in OC for further advice or instructions if:
People who experience mild symptoms are recommended to follow social distancing and stay at home during their illness, as they can recover on their own just as they recover from the common cold.
However, if you experience severe symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
If you need healthcare assistance, you should contact your family care center to check on your appointment so that they can be prepared to treat you and protect other visitors, patients, and staff.
As of now, there is no evidence that pets, including dogs and cats, can spread or be infected with the COVID-19. However, it is recommended to follow good hygiene and healthy habits such as washing hands after contact with pets and not kissing and sharing foods.
You should avoid contact with pets and other animals if you are infected with COVID-19. This will help the virus from transmitting to their coat or skin. If your pet has been exposed to COVID-19 from you, they won’t get infected or spread the virus, but anyone who touches your pet can get infected.
Physical and mental exercises are important for pets to stay healthy and happy, so take your pets for a walk in the area that is safe to venture outside and not crowded. Pet owners should carry hand sanitizers while walking their pets outside and wash hands before and after each walk.
Children are not immune to COVID-19, and there are children diagnosed with COVID-19. In China, several hundred children, including newborns, were diagnosed with COVID-19. However, children have experienced milder symptoms than adults, and children with existing medical conditions have an increased risk of infection.
Follow these coronavirus tips to prevent the transmission of infection and keep your family and community safe:
If you are an Orange County resident and want to learn more about your symptoms, call one of our primary care or urgent care offices in OC.
To answer questions about COVID-19, Orange County Public Health has also created a Health Referral Line for the public. Call (800) 564-8448 for more information about COVID-19.
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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